Forum discusses future of Sandy Hook school

Updated 11:04 pm, Sunday, January 13, 2013

Mergiam Bajraliu, a senior at Newtown High School, whose sister was a student in the Sandy Hook Elementary School on the day of the shooting, spoke at a community meeting to determine the future of the school Sunday, Jan. 13, 2012. less

Mergiam Bajraliu, a senior at Newtown High School, whose sister was a student in the Sandy Hook Elementary School on the day of the shooting, spoke at a community meeting to determine the future of the school ... more

Kristen Kinsey, of Newtown, speaks during a community meeting at Newtown High School on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history January 13, 2013. REUTERS/ Michelle McLoughlin/Pool (UNITED STATES) less

Kristen Kinsey, of Newtown, speaks during a community meeting at Newtown High School on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history January 13, ... more

Aimee Tabor, mother of a Sandy Hook Elementary School student, speaks during a community meeting at the Newtown High school on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history, Jan. 13, 2013. less

Aimee Tabor, mother of a Sandy Hook Elementary School student, speaks during a community meeting at the Newtown High school on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School, the site of the second-deadliest school ... more

Glen Hoffman of Extra Mile Ministries with K9 crisis comfort dog Beau, listen during a community meeting at Newtown High school on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School the site of the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history Jan. 13, 2013. less

Glen Hoffman of Extra Mile Ministries with K9 crisis comfort dog Beau, listen during a community meeting at Newtown High school on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School the site of the second-deadliest ... more

Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra speaks during a community meeting at the Newtown High School on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School the site of the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. history Jan. 13, 2013. Standing at right is Francis Pennorla, moderator. less

Newtown First Selectwoman Patricia Llodra speaks during a community meeting at the Newtown High School on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School the site of the second-deadliest school shooting in U.S. ... more

NEWTOWN -- Although they differed on whether it should be razed, renovated or converted for another purpose, most of those who attended Sunday's forum on the future of Sandy Hook Elementary School agreed on one major point.

The children and faculty of the kindergarten through fourth-grade school where 20 students and six educators were killed last month should remain together, not scattered among other district schools.

Parent after parent, who spoke at the start of what First Selectman Pat Llodra called a long and difficult process, said it would be a mistake to separate children who lost so many classmates, teachers, friends and neighbors.

"I want all the kids to be together," said Felicia DelGiudice, whose daughter is in the third grade at the school.

"They shouldn't be relocated. That's what makes us Sandy Hook," added Kristen Kinsey, who has two children there.

But there was far less unanimity about what should be done with the shattered, 56-year-old building.

Many speakers called for extensive renovations that would eliminate the entrance and classrooms, and build a memorial to those killed Dec. 14 when 20-year-old Adam Lanza, a former student, used a semi-automatic rifle to commit one of the worst school shootings in the nation's history.

"Some of my best childhood memories were of attending Sandy Hook School," said Mergim Bajraliu, a high school senior who spoke in favor of renovating the building. "The children of the future deserve to experience the same memories I did."

Refusing to speak Lanza's name, Bajraliu said, "He may have taken away 26 angels, but he shouldn't take away Sandy Hook School, too. It would be an injustice to those whose lives were cut short."

Audra Barth said her two children -- including her son, a first-grader who was close to the gunfire -- want to return to the school.

"He heard way too much, more than any child should, but he wants to go back. It's his school," she said. "We have to teach our children to be strong. I'm not prepared to teach my children to run and hide."

Just as many others, however, said it would be wrong to force faculty and students still traumatized by the shooting to re-enter even a renovated school.

"I cannot ask my child or the people who were there to ever walk back into that building," Stephanie Carson said. "My son doesn't want to go back. Knock it down and have some sort of memorial."

Others said the feelings of the families who lost loved ones, as well as faculty who survived, should be paramount in whatever is decided.

Llodra said that private meetings with those families are in the works, and a session with the faculty will be held soon. Another community forum is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. Friday at the high school auditorium, site of Sunday's session.

Money for whatever option is chosen apparently will not be an issue, at least initially, according to Llodra.

When one resident said it would helpful to know how much funding would be available for renovations or new construction, Llodra said she had been told by state and federal officials to, "work the process, and then we'll come to the table and make it happen."

For now, Sandy Hook Elementary School students are attending the former Chalk Hill School in Monroe, where they are being taught by their regular teachers.

Some residents said they would be comfortable with whatever decision is made.

"It's still raw. There is a lot of emotion. I'd like to see it stay, but I'm not one of the parents," said Kathy Holick, whose 3-year-old grandson lives near Sandy Hook School and is looking forward to going there when he's old enough.

Hawleyville resident Ben Roberts urged all those involved to take time and come to a decision "we are thrilled and delighted with."

Given the nation's division on so many other issues, Roberts said, "I'd hate to see it decided by 52 to 48 percent. Like it or not, the town has changed and we can't go back.

"Let Newtown be remembered as where something beautiful happened. That's the way we want to be remembered."